BIRMINGHAM Panthers will be no more once their season ends this weekend.

Owner Herman Wilson today admitted that he has applied to move the franchise to Telford.

“Sadly, there is nothing here in Birmingham to sustain a BBL club,” he said. “It is just not viable because of a lack of resources and venues and partners from the business community unwilling to invest.

“I have applied to go to Telford and although it was never the intention to move anywhere else when we started basketball in Birmingham up again, there is really no alternative.”

Soon after Panthers debuted in September, Wilson’s backers pulled out and he has struggled to keep the club afloat.

Unable to move into the Aston Events Centre and Nechells Community Sports Centre, Panthers have had to play home games in Walsall, at the Black Country University.

Although the City Council have no obligation to bale out or help a professional sports organisation, they have left Panthers to their own devices.

Wilson said: “Because of the previous regime [of former Birmingham Bullets owner Craig Bown], there is so much negativity towards having a basketball franchise in the city.

“I have an open mind about whether the local authority wanted or were able to support what we had planned not for the short-term, but our long-term view.”

Wilson’s application will be discussed by the BBL’s franchise committee when the league directors meet on Monday.

No decision will be made for several weeks however. “It’s a long drawn out process,” said Wilson.

“But if this doesn’t happen, then I know there won’t be any basketball in Birmingham next season - that’s a fact.

“There is not much you can do working as a stand-alone.”

Panthers - who stage what is now a farewell home game at Walsall against Everton Tigers on Saturday (7pm) - have lost a clutch of players during the season due to disputes over conditions and finances. They are bottom of the BBL.

Wilson has taken the brunt of criticism for Panthers malaise but chosen not to defend himself - yet.

“To be honest, I just wanted to make sure that we saw the season through, which is what we will do. So I have stayed silent.

“People have had their say and as we live in a democracy, that is their right.

“But not everyone is in full possession of the facts and maybe once the dust has settled, some things will come to light.

“I will honour all my obligations and then we will see where we go once the weekend is over.”